Dishwashing spray head



y 13, 1952 F. H. ELLINGER 2,596,387

DISK- WASHING SPRAY HEAD Filed Feb. 23, 1950 2 SHEETS-SI-iEET l A'TTOR/VEYJ May 13, 1952 F. H. ELLINGER 2,596,387

DISHWASHING SPRAY HEAD Filed Feb. 23, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 lA/VEATO I? Patented May 13, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of washin and rinsing dishes and like articles, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of liquid soap dispensing and water spraying devices adapted for hand manipulation.

A primary object of my invention is to provide an improved portable dish washing spray head which is extremely simple and compact in construction and highly efficient and positive in action.

There have been many types of portable hand operated spray heads heretofore proposed for dish washing and analogous purposes, some of which utilize bar soap and others of which utilize liquid soap in the washing operation. While there are numerous objections normally attendant the use of bar soap in spraying devices, such as difiiculties in dispensing the proper amount of soap and in obtaining an effective washing mixture as well as difficulties in preventing gumming and the like after the soap has been acted upon by the water, some of the prior spray heads in which liquid soap is utilized have met with a fair degree of success; and one of these relatively successful prior spraying devices is shown and described in my co-pendin application Serial No. 57,520, filed October 30, 1948, now Patent No. 2,532,270, granted on November 28, 1950. However, even the spraying devices utilizing liquid soap possess many objectionable features, particularly in the more or less complicated nature of the soap dispensing mechanism and the attendant difficulties in assembly and the resultant prohibitive cost of merchandising such devices.

Accordingly, a more specific object of my present invention is to provide an improved portable liquid soap dispensing spray device which obviates all of the disadvantages and objections attendant prior devices of this general type.

Another specific object of this invention is to provide an improved portable spray head which comprises relatively few simple parts, all of which may be readily manufactured of plastic and/or sheet metal or the like and assembled at low cost to the ultimate consumer.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved portable spray head especially adapted for dish washing and like purposes which is exceedingly neat and attractive in appearance and durable in construction and wherein all parts are readily accessible for inspection, replacement and/or repair.

An additional specific object of my present inill vention is to provide an improved portable spraying device which embodies extremely simple liquid soap dispensing mechanism wihch may be easily and conveniently manipulated by a novice to positively supply controlled quantities of soap directly to the washing zone when desired.

Still another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable and highly flexible washing and spraying device adapted for ready attachment to any standard water faucet and in which the liquid soap supply is housed within a segregated and entirely unobstructed and easily accessible confining chamber.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable: spraying device comprising, a fresh liquid supply chamber having an annular series of discharge openings in its lower Wall, an insulated gripping handle projecting from one side of the liquid supply chamber, means for conducting liquid under pressure through the handle to the liquid supply chamber, a soap chamber disposed above the liquid supply chamber, means forming a passage for conducting soap directly from the soap chamher to a point below the liquid supply chamber within the annular series of openings, and a valve having a manipulating knob adjacent to the handle for opening and closing the passage.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting my present invention and of the mode of constructing and of utilizing portable spraying devices built in accordance with the improvement, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification, wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a top view of a typical dish washing spray head constructed in accordance with my invention, a portion of the cover for the soap chamber being broken away to reveal normally concealed internal structure;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the assemblage taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the device, parts of the lower wall of the liquid supply chamber being broken away to reveal normally concealed internal structure;

Fig. 4 is a partial central vertical section through the spray head, the section being taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

general, an annular fresh liquid supply chamber,

or nozzle 8 having an annular series of discharge openings 9 in the lower wall thereof; a gripping and manipulating handle It preferably formed.

of suitable insulating material projecting laterally from one side of the chamber 8; suitable means, such as aflexible tube II, for conductingliquid under pressure from a faucet or other source of supply through a port [2 in thehandle- H! and an opening 13 in theside wall of the chamber 8 directly to the interior of such chamber 8; a liquid soap receiving and housing chamber- 14 disposed above the liquid supply chamber-8 and sealed therefrom; means, such as a screwtplug l5 having a central port l6 therethrough, forming a passageway communicating with the interiorv ofthe soap chamber [4 at its upper end and open to the exterior at its lower end for conducting soap directly from the chamber 1 l to a point exteriorly of and below the liquid supply chamber 8 within the annular series of openings 9; and a valve 11 rotatably mounted in the plug l 5 for opening. and

closing the passageway I6, the.valve I! having a I manipulating knob or lever l8 externallyrof the chamber 8 and adjacent to the handle Hlefor rotating the valve IT.

The chamber or nozzle 8 may be conveniently molded of plastic or other suitable material with the side and upper walls formed integral, the

upper wall being gradually inclined downwardly towardthe center and being formed with a central threaded aperture [9 for snugreception of,

the threaded plug l5; and the lower wall of the. chamber 8 may be comprised of an outer ring 29 peripherally engageable with the depe'ndingedge of the side wall of the chamber 8 and an inner ring 2! tightly press-fitted within the outerring 2B, the outer peripheral edge of the inner ringlZ I: being serrated to provide the annular series of perforations or discharge openings 9.; To tightlyv seat and seal the ring 29 against the wall ofthe chamber 8, an annularseries of screwsu22lco-l operable with the upperwallof the chamber; 8 and with the ring are provided, anda suitable sealing ring 23 may also be utilized betweenthe chamber Wall and the ring 20 in a well-known manner. soap from the passage I6 to a point externally of the chamber 8 and to also provide an additional annular series of inwardly directed discharge openings 24 for the fresh liquid from the cham-.

her 8, a nozzle element 25 is preferrably employed; and this nozzle element 25 is formed for threaded reception on the depending end of the plug 15 and is provided with a lower annular flange 25 having a serrated inwardly tapered peripheral edge cooperable with the inner edgeof. the ring 2! to form the series of openings] 24 which may be varied somewhat in size by changingithe axial position of the element 2t":v in an 0b'- vious manner with the aid of a screw driveror To insure proper distribution'of-the like instrument cooperable with the lower discharge slot 21 in the element 25.

The soap chamber I4 may be of inverted cup shape provided with a downwardly and inwardly inclined bottom wall 28 welded or otherwise formed integral with the side wall to insure flow of liquid soap to the central portion, and the bottom wall 28 is provided with a central opening alined with the opening l9 in the top wall of the chamber} to permit reception of the treaded plug IS. The permit ready access to the soap chamber M, an upper threaded opening 29 adapted for reception of a cover 30 is provided, and this removable cover 30 is formed with an aperture 3! for admitting air from the exterior to the chamber I4 to displace liquid soap as it is conducted-from the chamber. The chamber M is adapted for snug reception on the nozzle 8 with the bottom wall 25 of the soap. chamber seated directly against the upper wall of the fresh liquid supply chamber or nozzle; and to securely, position and attach these elements; a threaded nut =32 receivable on the upper end of theplug, I 5:is utilized in an obvious manner, the nut, 32 being provided with a lower transverse groove3-3 adapted for alinement with a transverse port 34in the plug l 5 to establish communication between the lowermost inner portion of the chamher, M; and the upper extremity of the passage J6;

The valve I! is of extremely simple construction comprising an; elongated generally cylindrical body;3 5;journalled for rotation in a trans verseppening onseat provided in the plug 25, the body 35 having; a, transverse port 35 near the inner-endthereof adapted for alinement with the passage fli in; the plug [5. The valve body 35 may 7 be,;conveniently protectively housed within a depending ridge 31 formed integral with the ,upper wall of the chamber 8; and the outer end of the body;3 5-is formed of reduced diameter as at 38' to-receive a compression spring 39 coacting; at one end with the flange formed by the reducedmortion 38 of the body 35 and at the other endw-ith a bushing 4i! surrounding the portion -33 andscrew-threaded within an opening formed in-thesidewall ofthe chamber 8, the reduced portionjifi of the valve body projecting outwardly beyond the bushing 40 and side wall of the -chamber8-1torece ive the manipulating knob clfii w-hich nlay be non-rotatably secured thereto as by meansot asetscrew 4 l 39 constantly urges the valve body 35 inwardly, the yalue seatin the plug I5 is preferably tapered iandthe'inner-end; of the valve is correspondingly tapered to insure proper alinement of the valve port,35 with the passage i6; and to insure positive rotation of the valve manipulating handIeUto-open, and closed positions, suitable stops 42:,43;may:beprovidedon the exterior of the side wall ofwthe; chamber 8 and these stops may be moldedt'zorg-otherwise formed integral with the chamberlside w,all. The gripping handle it may be. conveniently secured in position by screw threaded coaction with a nipple 44 formed integral with and projecting outwardly from the side wall of the chamber 8, and the valve manipulatingiknobla is preferably located near the handle Ill so as top'ermit quick and easy manipulation thereof. 7

Tooperate the improved device, it is only necessaryoto fill the chamber It with a supply of-liquid soap inan obvious manner upon removal of the cover 38, whereupon the cover may again-,bescrewed into position within the open- Since the spring fiexible in use.

ing 29. With the valve I! closed as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, there is obviously no leakage of soap whatsoever from the unobstructed chamber l4; and after the free end of the hose or tube II has been suitably connected to a source of fresh water supply such as a faucet, the device is ready for use. To manipulate the improved head, the user may conveniently grip the insulated handle l0, and the faucet or other source of supply, not shown, may be turned on to conduct clear liquid under pressure through the tube ll, port l2 in the handle and port I3 in the wall of the chamber 8 into the interior of the chamber 8 and then through the discharge openings 9, 24 in the lower casing wall in the form of a clear liquid spray. This spray action continues as long as liquid under pressure is conducted to the chamber 8; and when it is desired to supply soap to the spray for washing purposes, it is merely necessary to rotate the valve body 35 with the aid of the manipulating knob l8 so that the port 36 is in axial alinement with the soap passage 6. When the valve is thus rotated, liquid soap is permitted to flow from within the chamber M through the groove 33 in the nut 32 and through the port 34 into the passageway l6 past the valve port 36 and through the lower slot 2! in the valve element 25 to a point below the lower wall of the chamber 8 centrally of the discharge openings 9, 24 in such wall. The soap is thus mixed with the liquid externally of the chamber 8 where suds are created in the washing and/or spraying zone upon intermingling of the soap and spray; and to aid in the discharge of soap from the chamber I 4 through the passage I 6, an angular passage or port 45 intersecting the port l6 below the valve I1 may be provided, the passage 45 communicating at its upper end with the interior of the chamber 8 and at its lower end with the exterior to create a jet or suction action within the passage 16. The clear liquid spray may be adjusted as desired by moving the nozzle element 25 axially with the aid of a screw driver or the like to vary the size of the discharge openings 24; and by reason of the slight inward taper of the peripheral edge of the lower flange 26 of the element 25, the jets issuing from the openings provided by the serrated edge are directed inwardly across the path of the soap to effectively intermingle therewith. To again close the valve I l to provide a clear liquid rinsing action, it is only necessary to rotate the valve body 35 to closed position with the aid of the handle 18, and during the evacuation of soap from the chamber 1 4 as hereinabove described, such soap is replaced by air entering the chamber through the port 31 provided in the cover 30.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is believed apparent that my present invention contemplates provision of an improved portable spray head especially adapted for washing and rinsing dishes and like articles and which is extremely simple and compact in construction and highly The improved liquid soap dispensing spray washer is furthermore exceedingly attractive in appearance and efficient in actual use, and it comprises relatively few parts which are compactly assembled and which may be manufactured at relatively low cost. The device may be readily supplied With liquid soap and may be conveniently manipulated with the aid of the insulated handle III in a safe manner, and the valve I! may be controlled during-manipulation of the device with the aid of a thumb or other fingerto convert the spray from a clear water rinsing spray to a washing spray and vice versa. The valve I7 is exceedingly simple and positive in action, with the main body portion 35 as well as the spring 39 entirely housed within the depending ridge 3'! formed integral with the upper wall of the chamber 8, and there are consequently no obstructions within the soap chamber l4. Since the lower wall 28 of the chamber I4 is inclined toward the central portion with the discharge port for the soap located at the lowermost point within the chamber, the chamber l4 may be completely emptied of liquid soap before refill is necessary; and since the chamber I4 is completely sealed from the chamber 8, gumming due to liquid and soap mixture is minimized. All parts of the unit are readily accessible for inspection, replacement and/or repair with the aid of ordinary tools; and devices manufactured in accordance with the invention have, in fact, met with considerable success in actual commercial use.

It should be understood that it is not desired or intended to limit this invention to the exact details of construction, or to the precise mode of use herein shown and described, for various modifications Within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and it should be understood that specific descriptive terms used herein should be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the claims.

I claim:

1. A spraying device comprising, a fresh liquid supply chamber having an annular series of discharge openings in the lower wall thereof, an insulated gripping and manipulating handle projecting from one side of said liquid supply chamber, means for conducting liquid under pressure through said handle directly to said liquid supply chamber, a soap chamber disposed above said liquid supply chamber and sealed therefrom, means forming a passageway for conducting soap directly from said soap chamber to a point below sa1d liquid supply chamber within said annular series of openings, a valve having a manipulating knob adjacent to said handle for opening and closing said passageway, and a second passageway diagonally intersecting said first-mentioned passageway below said valve, said second passageway communicating at one end with the interior of said liquid supply chamber and at the other end exteriorly thereof.

2. A spraying device comprising, a fresh liquid supply chamber having an annular series of discharge openings in the lower Wall thereof, an insulated gripping and manipulating handle projecting from one side of said liquid supply chamber, means for conducting liquid under pressure through said handle directly to said liquid supply chamber, a soap chamber disposed above said liquid supply chamber and sealed therefrom, means forming a passageway for conducting soap directly from said soap chamber to a point below said liquid supply chamber within said annular series of openings, a valve having a manipulating knob adjacent to said handle for opening and closing said passageway, and means intersecting said passageway below said valve for conducting a jet of liquid under pressure from said liquid supply chamber to a point exteriorly of and below said liquid supply chamber.

3. A spraying device comprising, a fresh liquid supply chamber having an annular series of discharge openmgsxingthe:lower wall thereof, an

insulatedgrippingand manipulating handle projectingefrom. one isideof said liquid supply chamber; means for conducting liquid under pressure through said handle directly to said liquid supply chamber, asoap chamber disposed above said across said passageway for opening and closing the same, and asecond passageway intersecting said first mentionepassageway below said valve and communicating at one end with the interior ,OfSaldIIiQIlldsupply chamber andat the other end exteriorly-thereof.

4. A-sprayingdevice'comprising, a fresh, liquid supply chamber having an annular series of discharge openings in' the lower wall thereof, an insulated gripping; and manipulating handle projeetingfrom one side of said liquid supply chamber, meansfor conducting liquidunder pressure through said handle directly to said liquid supply chamber, a. soap. chamber disposed above .said liquid supplych'amberand sealed therefrom, a plug carried'jbythe top wall of said liquid supply chamber and depending,therefrom,v said, plug,

8; havingone passagewayleading from the interior of saidxsoap chamberto a point exteriorly of said liquid supply chamber within said annular series of openings and having another passageway intersecting said one passageway and leading from the interioriof said liquid supply chamber to another point exteriorly of said liquid supply chamber within said annular series of openings, and a rotary valve journalled in a transverse seat -in-said-plug, for opening and closing said passageway; the body of-said valve being housed entirely within an-integral portion of the top wall of said liquid supply chamber with an end thereofextending through the side wall of said liquid supply 1 chamber near said handle and being provided with a manipulating knob.

' FLORA H. ELLINGER."

REFERENCES CITED The;following;referencesare of record in the file of this patent: UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name- Date 2,301',69-1 Ellinger et a1 Nov. 10, 1942 2,462,752 Kotches etal Feb. 22, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number I Country Date 49,957 France June 20, 1939 (First Addition to 671,270) 

